"Beginning
July 1, 2004, teens under the age of 18 must be enrolled in
public or private school or an approved home school program
and have an attendance record in good standing or have received
their diploma or GED to apply for or keep an instructional
permit or driver's license.  Previously,
teens with their parent's permission to withdraw from school
could obtain and keep a license. This is no longer allowed.
"With
the passage of House Bill 1190 during the last Legislative
Session, no one under the age of 18 will be allowed to apply
for an instructional permit or driver's license unless they
present (along with any other required documents):
-
A
Certificate of Attendance (DMS form # DS-1) from a public
or private school, state approved home school or a post
secondary school. Only the new DMVS Certificate of Attendance
will be accepted at the driver's license facilities (available
on the DMS website at www.dmvs.ga.gov). The County Board
of Education will need to validate the attendance form
for state approved home school students or,
- Proof
of high school diploma or GED diploma or,
- Special
diploma or certificate of high school completion.
"A
school suspension will also affect driver's license status.
The instructional permit or drivers license will be suspended
for one full year or until the student reaches the age of
18 for the following:
- Student
drops out of school
- Student
has 10 school days of unexcused absences (not necessarily
consecutive) in a semester or two consecutive quarters
- Is
suspended from school for threatening, striking or harming
a teacher or school office, possession or sale of alcohol
or drugs on school property, possession or use of weapon
on school property or any sexual offense.
"There
is no longer a provision to reinstate an instructional permit
or driver's license if the student returns to school. A suspended
student may apply for a hardship permit within 10 days of the
suspension. The DMVS will consider each circumstance on a case-by-case
basis and make a determination within 30 days."
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